Evolution Walks

with Louise Stone

Walking for just thirty minutes five times a week not only keeps you healthy, but can also reduce the risk of most of the major chronic diseases by up to 50%. Walking outdoors gives you access to fresh air and sunshine, and being in nature can have a restorative effect. Walking with others is a lovely way to socialise and meet new people. Sussex is a richly varied place to explore, boasting the sea and the South Downs, and bursting with history and wildlife.

Louise has been hill-walking for nine years in Britain, the Alps and the Himalayas, and walking has become an essential part of her happiness. She enjoys exploring the countryside, and walking gives her breathing space and perspective. Louise currently leads walks for the Brighton Buddhist Centre, B&H City Council Healthwalks, the Explorers Club, and the B&H Ramblers, and is in training for the national Walking Group Leader Award.

All welcome, including children and closely controlled dogs. The three walks in this programme are hilly, but we will always walk at the pace of the slowest person in the group and take rest stops. The walk will be cancelled in severe weather.

Walk 2: moderate
11.00am Sunday 20th July
Friston Forest and the Cuckmere River.
5.5 miles, approx. 3 hours plus breaks.

Walk 3: challenging
11.00am Sunday 7th September
Upper Beeding village, Tottington Mount and Wood, the Adur river, and Bramber castle.
7.5 miles, approx. 4 hours plus breaks.

Cost: £7.50 (£6 concessions and earlybird / £3 under-12’s) per walk

Benefits of walking

Walking for just thirty minutes five times a week not only keeps you healthy, it can also reduce the risk of most of the major chronic diseases by up to 50%. Walking outdoors gives you access to fresh air and sunshine, and being in nature can have a restorative effect. Walking with others is a lovely way to socialise and meet new people. Sussex is a richly varied place to explore, boasting the sea and the South Downs, and bursting with history and wildlife.

The Walks

The three walks in this programme are hilly, but we will always walk at the pace of the slowest person in the group and take rest stops – all the better to appreciate the views and the wildlife. Please tell us if there is anything we should know about your health that might affect your walk. The walk will be cancelled in severe weather, and you will receive a full refund.

You will need to bring: walking footwear, warm clothes, waterproofs, sun protection, water and snacks, bag and/or tupperware for litter. There will be a picnic stop for those who prefer to bring their own lunch, as well as a stop at a tea shop or pub (not included in the price). Toilets will be available at the start of each walk.

Walk 1: easy. 4 May
Castle Hill.
Castle Hill is a national nature reserve and is a good example of ancient, traditionally managed chalk downland, rich in orchids and rare butterflies. Bring a field guide if you have one.
Terrain: bridleways, no stiles, gently hilly.
4 miles, approx. 2 hours plus breaks. Meet 12 o’clock at the Downs Hotel, Warren Rd, Woodingdean, Brighton; grid reference TQ354058. Return by 3.00pm. Public transport: bus #22 to Downs Hotel Stop (just after Esso garage).

Walk 2: moderate. 13 July
Friston Forest and the Cuckmere River.
This walk visits the Saxon hamlet of Westdean, and Friston Forest with its native beech trees and wildlife; takes a break at the 150 year old Litlington tea gardens; and follows the beautiful Cuckmere river back to the start.
Terrain: bridleways, gently hilly. 5.5 miles, approx. 3 hours plus breaks. Meet 11.00am at the entrance to Seven Sisters Country Park car park, Exceat, E Sussex; grid reference TV518995. Return by 3-4pm. Public transport: bus #13 to Exceat.

Walk 3: challenging. 7 September
Upper Beeding village, Tottington Mount and Wood, the Adur river, and Bramber castle.
This walk starts in the attractive Saxon village of Upper Beeding; heads up to contour the edge of the South Downs; then descends for a break at Tottington Manor Restaurant and Bar; cuts through the ancient woodland and local nature reserve of Tottington Wood; then we trace our route back along the River Adur; finishing the walk with a visit to the ruins of the Norman Castle at the once thriving port that is now Bramber village.
Terrain: varied, stiles, steep hilly section exposed to weather. 7.5 miles, approx. 4 hours plus breaks. Meet 11.00am in the car park, The Street, Bramber, W. Sussex; grid reference TQ187106. Return by 4-5pm. Public transport: bus #2A to Castle Hotel, Bramber.

The Countryside Code

www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code

Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
Biodegradable doesn’t mean good for the countryside. Any items of food waste (including apple cores and banana skins), toilet paper, and biodegradable dog waste bags are all litter, the dropping of which is a criminal offence. All these things still take a very long time to break down, disrupt the natural balance of nutrients, pollute with the chemicals found in the paper or bags, can be dangerous to wildlife and farm animals, and spoil the beauty of the countryside. So please take your litter home with you: bring a plastic bag for toilet paper, and a dedicated tupperware for bagged dog waste.

Keep dogs under close control
By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. We may encounter sheep and cows, and farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.